The original item was published from February 24, 2016 8:57 AM to February 24, 2016 9:20 AM
In 2015, the Fire Training Division enjoyed
another vigorous year of training programs delivered to ECFD personnel in the
areas of performance evolution, standards in personal safety, engine company
operations, truck company operations, rescue operations, technical rescue
operations and wildland operations. In
addition, there were several classes conducted for firefighter safety, hazard
awareness, fire prevention/target hazards, emergency operations and emergency
medical training for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and advanced medical
training and certification for Paramedics.
The Department also enjoyed a very cooperative year in several program
areas that included continued efforts in compliance training, expanding the
Department’s partnership with the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship
Committee (CFFJAC) and a continued cooperative training agreement with all fire
agencies in West Contra Costa County including the Richmond and Pinole Fire Departments,
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Chevron Fire Department and
Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District.
In 2015, the Department completed its
tenth year of working with online training company TargetSolutions to complete
compliance training with Injury, Illness & Prevention Program (IIPP), City
of El Cerrito policy review, Contra Costa County Operational Area policy review
and didactic training prior to field training.
In 2015, Department personnel completed 1,075 hours of online training
in 962 trainings that included annual hazardous materials refresher training,
wildland refresher training, basic & advanced medical training, driver
safety training, firefighter safety training and operational training. At the conclusion of 2015, Fire Department
personnel completed over 8,000 online training courses/activities.
In 2015, the Department also continued
its agreement with the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee
(CFFJAC) – a joint labor and management training program at the
state-level. Currently, nine line
personnel are enrolled in the CFFJAC Program and will complete between 2,000 –
4,000 hours of training in order to earn journey level status in their
perspective rank in accordance with program guidelines. These training hours
generate State apprenticeship funds which are then used to pay for online
training through TargetSolutions, annual maintenance of the Fireblast Fire
Training Simulator, advanced life support training and other training
materials.
In 2015, 150 performance evolutions
were completed for personal safety, engine company operations, truck company
operations and wildland operations.
Training evolutions were conducted throughout the year. The Standards Committee, comprised of labor
and management personnel, met in December to review current standards, review
and approve 2015 data and recommended new training in wildland, truck
operations, rapid intervention, search & rescue, technical rescue and
firefighter safety in 2016 and beyond. In 2015 training was also conducted in
the following areas:
- Operational
Training (Performance Evolutions
& Quarterly Truck Training)
- Multi-Company
Training with Richmond, County, Chevron, Pinole & Rodeo-Hercules
- Wildland
Training for Annual Refresher, Standards and Trail Familiarization
- Quarterly Training
for Basic and Advanced EMS
- Advanced Life
Support Mandated Certification Training in Cardiac and Pediatrics
- Quarterly Driver
Safety and Operator Training
- Quarterly Rescue
Systems I (RS I) Training
- Technical Rescue
Training for High Point Anchoring, Trench Rescue & Shoring
- Quarterly Safety
Training, Facility Tours and Pre-Planning
- NFPA 1404 Air
Management Training
- BART Training
for Trains, Stations and Response
- Joint Training
with Berkeley Fire for New Auto-Aid Agreement
- PG & E Gas
and Electrical Training
- New Hire and
Probationary Firefighter Training for Two New Firefighters
In addition to the 1,075 hours of
online training, El Cerrito Firefighters recorded 13,652 hours of training in
an array of training categories that included 948 hours of emergency medical
training and 1,404 hours of physical fitness training which once again
demonstrates their dedication and commitment to serving the community. As the
Department heads into 2016, it will continue to build on previous years
training in order to plan for another year of well-rounded, dynamic training
that will include the following additions to increase firefighter safety and
operational aptitude:
- Continued
Certification Training for Paramedics and EMT’s
- Rapid
Intervention Crew (RIC) Training
- Large Area
Search (LAS) Training
- Joint Operations
Training with Albany Fire Department and Berkeley Fire Department
- Accountability
Training to Increase Firefighter Safety
- Continued
Communications Training for East Bay Regional Communications System
- Technical Rescue
Training for Trench Rescue, Structural Collapse and High/Low Rope
- Vehicle Type
Training, Extrication and Stabilization Training
- Continued Truck
Training for New Aerial (Grant Awarded)
The Department will also continue to look for opportunities
to expand training partnerships with surrounding agencies in West Contra Costa
County, including Albany Fire, Berkeley Fire and the East Bay Regional Parks
District, particularly classroom training, field training and advanced training
which will include new hire training in Texas funded by Chevron. Lastly, the
Department will develop a written one year training plan, technical rescue plan
and a fire master calendar which will allow it to better plan and facilitate
training in the future.